Customer Reviews

Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins: Survivors in Armor

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know how I have missed this book, but it is a wonderfully written book on the subject of turtle biology, with outstanding coverage of all groups of turtles, including sea turtles and the pleurodira. The subjects are very well selected to cover the range of turtle biology, and the collection of photographs is outstanding and very well edited for high quality. I'm just grateful that places like Amazon carry this book, because it is likely that you will not find it anywhere else. Most other books on the subject focus on pet care or classification (naming) of turtles, but this book takes a profoundly original view of their biology. The chapter on paleonology is the best general account of the state of this subject anywhere. A terrific value, and you will not be disappointed!!

I recommend this book to anyone who has a turtle or tortoise - it is a handy dandy reference book with lots of insighful information. I have an African desert tortoise that was given to me. I knew nothing about its care - did not even udnerstand what it would eat - this book was helpful.

Easy to read, easy to undertsand. Filled with lots of good common sense stuff that makes it easier to understand your pet.

It is so hard to find a good book on turtles at a book store, so when I saw this I jumped at the chance to get it for my dad (he loves turtles and knows quite a bit about them). He loved the book and thought the information and photos were top quality.

This book covers a wide range of turtle biology, beginning with paleontology and ending with modern conservation issues. The book has many beautiful pictures illustrative of the points that Orenstein makes. I especially enjoyed Oreinstein's analysis of turtle features, such as the lack of fenestrae, and turtle evolution. The recent discovery of odontochelys probably makes some of the paleontology sections outdated, but the assessment of model turtle features is still very useful.

I should warn that this book reads more like a biology textbook rather than a travelogue about turtles. There are no cute turtle stories. However, this book will allow turtle-lovers to appreciate just how unique turtle biology truly is.

At times, Orenstein writing is a bit awkward, with very long sentences and some double negatives. However, it doesn't distract too much from the book.

I have been looking for one book on the turtle that covers it all and this is it. Details history, types, care, and tons of really interesting (to me) information that covers just about everything you would like to know about turtles. Written in a fairly easy to understand style with lots of photos. I've been boring all of my non-turtle friends and family for weeks with all of the things that I have learned from Orenstein's book. A must read and reference guide for the turtle enthusiast.